Oral Answers to Questions

Pauline Latham Excerpts

Tuesday 1st November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I noted—I am sure colleagues did—that the prince of pithiness was about to leave the Chamber, and I think it ought to be noted.

[Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

T4. What action are the Government taking to protect vulnerable witnesses when they testify in court?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. We want to make sure that vulnerable witnesses, including children, who have to go in front of an open court at the moment, testify and be cross-examined can be cross-examined in advance—pre-trial and pre-recorded. This is much less intimidating, and I think that it will encourage more victims to come forward.